Month: February 2014

Enter the Dragon Curves

Posted on by Inara Pey
Dragon Curves
Dragon Curves

In January I visited a Cathedral Dreamer, Gem Preiz’s Full Sim Art  installation at the LEA featuring images of his amazing fractal art. At the time, I commented to Honour McMillan that I’d love to see something like his work translated into in-world, real-time constructs which could be explored. Little did I know that Mac Kanashimi would be on-hand from February through June to provide something very close to what I’d been musing about!

Dragon Curves is Mac’s installation as a part of the LEA’s round 6 AIR selection. Despite the fact the regions were only handed over to the artists at the start of February, it is already open to the public. Don’t let the quick opening deceive you – there’s some six months of work gone into the piece – and it is simply stunning, particularly if you’re of a mathematical bent.

Dragon Curves
Dragon Curves

Mac says of the 1216-metre high piece, floating over LEA 26: “The Dragon Curves exhibit showcases sim-wide variations of dragon curve art. The spectacular script-controlled dragon curve landscape changes continuously.”

For those unfamiliar with the concept of the dragon curve, the concept grew from the Harter–Heighway dragon first investigated by NASA physicists John Heighway, Bruce Banks, and William Harter, and documented in 1967 in Scientific American. Essentially, it is any member of a family of self-similar fractal curves, as depicted by Heighway, Banks and Hartner.

When seen from above, this pattern of self-similar curves is visible throughout this remarkable, ever-evolving piece in which the landscape within the three levels constantly changes as elements rise and fall and change colour (their colour being derived by height), and even resize themselves.

Dragon Curves
Dragon Curves

It is possible to find your way down from the arrival point at the top of the build to the lower platforms by way of the “dragon stair”, an 8 kilometre long, 1024m high stairway, itself a dragon curve, while each of the levels within the build comprise 10 dragon curves apiece and individual objects within the build comprise 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 or 48 prims.

It really is an amazing and dramatic piece, a companion to Mac’s Mandelbrot Art, which was featured on an LEA region in early 2013. When visiting, set your draw distance to around 500 metres, if possible, in order to see the installation more fully. Also note that there are six safe junctions (including the landing point) where you can stand as the landscape on each level changes. Mac also notes that there is an “Emergency button to derez the dragon curves in case of crises”(!).

Dragon Curves
Dragon Curves from the inside as I descend

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Addendum, April 4th: Teno Theriac sent me a machinima of Dragon Curves he’s made of Dragon Curves:

Anthologies, little pigs with big hearts and a tale from Ireland

Posted on by Inara Pey

It’s time to kick-off another week of fabulous story-telling in Voice, brought to Second Life by the staff and volunteers at the Seanchai Library SL. As always, all times SLT, and unless otherwise stated, events will be held on the Seanchai Library’s home on Imagination Island.

Sunday February 2nd, 13:30: Tea-time at Baker Street: The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge, Part 1

Tea-time at Baker Street embarks on a new series of adventures as Caledonia Skytower, Corwyn Allen and Kayden Oconnell commence reading from His Last Bow. A 1917 anthology of previously published Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, His Last Bow originally comprised seven stories published byThe Strand Magazine between 1908 and 1917. However, later editions of the book saw an eighth story included, The Adventure of the Cardboard Box, originally published in 1892. Today we hear the first part of The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge, a two-part story originally published in September 1908, and which forms the first tale in the volume. As a two-part story, the adventure comprises The Singular Experience of Mr. John Scott Eccles and The Tiger of San Pedro. In the first installment, the gentleman of the title, Mr. John Scott Eccles of Surrey, arrives at 221B Baker Street in an agitated state, wishing to discuss something of a “grotesque” nature with Holmes and Watson. However, no sooner has he arrived than so does Inspector Gregson of the Yard, accompanied by Inspector Baynes of the Surrey constabulary. They wish to question Eccles about a murder at a house in which he had spent the previous night. Clearly shocked on hearing about the murder, Eccles proceeds to tell a tale which has all the hallmarks of intrigue and, possibly, passion. Mysterious coded messages, possible secret trysts, and behaviour by the murdered man which suggests to Holmes that he was attempting to use Eccles to establish an alibi prior to his death – but an alibi for what? Find out more by joining Caledonia, Corwyn and Kayden!

Monday February 3rd, 19:00: From an Alien Point of View

More thought-provoking sci-fi from the collection of Gyro Muggins.

Tuesday February 4th, 19:00: The Te of Piglet

Winnie the Pooh may have been a Bear Of Very Little Brain often bothered by long words, but in 1982, through him, his friends in the 100 Acre Wood and their adventures, Benjamin Hoff found the perfect means of introducing a western audience to the principles and ideals of Taoism. That work was covered in a series of readings in mid-2013 by Caledonia and Kayden. Now they conclude their reading of the 1992 companion volume to that work, The Te of Piglet. Te is a Chinese word commonly interpreted to mean ‘power’ or ‘virtue’, but which has far more depth than either, being more a special quality of character, spiritual strength, or hidden potential unique to the individual. Through this book, Hoff further explores Taoist concepts, notably that ‘the virtue of the small’, showing how Piglet has great Te, not just because of his diminutive stature, but because he has Tz’u – a great heart, even if – as is so often the case – he’s generally unaware of the fact that he has. Taking a somewhat different approach to the original Tao of Pooh, this book uses the other characters from the 100 Acre Wood to show how our own humanity, in is different facets and forms, is seen by the Taoist as a series of impediments to our living in harmony with the Tao.

Wednesday February 5th, 19:00: The Beekeeper’s Apprentice

In 1915, a 54-year-old Sherlock Holmes find his retirement to the Sussex Downs, where he is studying the habits of the honey bee, to be interrupted by the unexpected arrival of 15-year-old Mary Russell. American by birth, Ms. Russell had come to England to live with her Aunt following the tragic death of her parents in an automobile accident. Holmes is impressed by the young lady’s wit and intellect, ne before he knows it, he finds himself teaching her his former tradecraft of solving crimes. Thus was formed a new partnership is formed between the very modern young Miss Russell and the very Victorian Great Detective. Now Caledonia returns with more tales from the pen of Laurie R. King, and her series of stories for young adults which focus on the adventure Ms Russell and Mr. Sherlock Holmes shared.

Thursday February 6th

16:00: The Peapod Warrior

With Dubhna Rhiadra.

19:00: The Early Adventures of Finn McCool

Shandon Loring Concludes reading Bernard Evslin stories about the formative years of  legendary giant Finn McCool – Fionn mac Cumhaill – the mythical hunter / warrior who appears in folklore spanning Ireland.

21:00: Seanchai Late Night

Details still TBA, so please check with the Seanchai Library blog as the week progresses. —– Please check with the Seanchai Library SL’s blog for updates and for additions or changes to the week’s schedule. The featured charity for January and February is The Xerces Society and their efforts at world-wide conservation and education for some of the smallest creatures on our earth.

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Looking for Spring in Second Life

Posted on by Inara Pey

Small Town Green; Inara Pey, February 2014, on FlickrrSmall Town Green (Flickr)

The weather has been pretty lousy for many of us of late. The North American continent looks  like Antarctica decided to head north for a bit of a vacation while if Britain receives much more in the way of rain, the country will end up looking permanently wrinkled when viewed from space. However, the weekend has actually seen us with clear skies and sunshine where I live. The wind chill means it’s not exactly weather to be wandering around the garden in a sleeveless top and shorts, but the sky has been a beautiful blue and almost cloudless. This being the case, I decided to seek out what signs of early Spring might be found in Second Life.

Small Town Green; Inara Pey, February 2014, on FlickrrSmall Town Green (Flickr)

Actually, if I’m honest, I didn’t really look that far. I’d noticed earlier in the week that Small Town Green had  thrown off its wintry shackles, so “seeking out ” really comprised a quick teleport followed by rambling around prior to RL life again demanding my attention. One of the things that makes Small Town Green popular is that it is always evolving and changing. This makes it something of a magnet for SL photographers (and those of us who attempt to pass ourselves off as such *coughs and avoids making eye contact with her reflection*), and also for those curious to see what has changed and where.

Small Town Green; Inara Pey, February 2014, on FlickrrSmall Town Green (Flickr)

At the moment, spring and romance is in the air on an island that has again be transformed, but which still carries familiar motifs: the use of water, a train (this time right out in the bay), and similar. A clock tower sits on a rocky outcrop, dominating the main island, and down below is a venue for weddings. Bridges are also a part of the landscape this time around, crossing and re-crossing the river winding through the region, and also forming a link with a little offshore island complete with fairy ring and gazebo. As always, the attention to detail within the built will have the SL snapper camming around looking which is the best of many angles for a shot, while for those just wanting a place to sit and relax and spend time alone or with a friend, there are places to sit, lie, cuddle and dance waiting to be discovered. Just watch out for the lions. I’m not sure how friendly they are, and to be honest, wasn’t of a mind to find out, but they are certainly in a position to keep an eye on coming and goings.

Small Town Green; Inara Pey, February 2014, on FlickrrSmall Town Green (Flickr)

So even when the rain does come a-tapping on my window once more (and it will), I know there is at least one place I can go bask in the Spring sun.

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The Miniature Goal

Posted on by Inara Pey
The Miniature Goal
The Miniature Goal

“What if our physical world shrunk in proportion to the resources we drain from it?”

That’s the question Haveit Neox posits in The Miniature Goal, which opens at 14:00 SLT at the Art India Galley on Saturday February 1st.

It’s an intriguing question; one that results in an intriguing installation. Within the walled space, sits a Venice-like city in miniature, through which boats pass along the waterways; but this is far from the romance of Venice.

The Miniature Goal
The Miniature Goal

On the horizon marches a series of gigantic oil derricks, beyond which a strange weather pattern turns ominously. There is tension here between the city, the oil derricks and even Mother nature herself as a closer look at the city reveals that it is not build around canals and waterways, it is in fact slowly drowning in what appears to be a rising sea. Then there are the giants, wading through the water or perched atop some of the buildings at the edge of the city – how do they fit into this series of juxtaposed images?

“We deplete resources all across the globe,” Haveit warns us, “yet in our homes we may feel few repercussions. Though we don’t actually visit the oil spills, the cleared forests, or the mines, let’s imagine how it would appear, were our everyday life reflected proportionately to the current depletion. If our bedroom walls were to shrink at the same percentage as the forests or the extinction of species for instance, how high exactly would our walls become?”

The Miniature Goal
The Miniature Goal

And thus the truth of the piece is revealed. The city is wracked by the consequences of an ecosystem knocked completely off-kilter by our global activities, and the “giants” are in fact those who have found  their homes have shrunk as a result.

It’s a dark scenario but one with a visual impact which underlines the further questions Haveit poses about the future we may face if we don’t learn to control our appetites when it comes to the resources the world has to offer and we continue to ravage the ecosystem without pause. The various elements in the installation are each captivating in their own right, whilst flowing together as a whole.

The Miniature Goal will formally open at 14:00 SLT on Saturday February 1st, as mentioned, and will remain open through to March. The opening will feature music by Nnoiz Papp, which might feature tracks from his new album, Orientopolis – which has more than likely found its way onto my “things to purchase” list…

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Project Homeless: short film challenge, L$2.28M in prizes

Posted on by Inara Pey

Jayjay Zifanwe of the University of Western Australia brings word of a new film and machinima challenge

Project Homeless 2014 is a Challenge run by Screen My Shorts Incorporated and the University of Western Australia in partnership with, and sponsored by the Parramatta City Council.

Film-makers of all ages cultures and ability are invited to submit original creative digital content (conventional film and / or machinima) and win a share of the $10,000 Aus (L$2.28 Million) cash and prizes (with at least $700 Aus  reserved for Machinima), and have their works exposed on the international stage. Films may be individual or team efforts.

HomelessEntrants are asked to indicate two themes from the 22 listed by the competition, on which they would like to base their film. The organisers will then allocate one the selected options. Entrants then have full freedom to explore and interpret the allocated theme and create a completed film within 30 days. All entrants are asked to  be as creative as possible in interpreting their nominated theme.

All registrations should be received no later than Friday April 11th, 2014, which is the date on which entrants will be informed of their allocated film theme.

Completed films must be submitted by Sunday May 11th, 2014.

How to Register

  1. The preferred method is to register via the competition website– note that entry fees for machinima style film are being sponsored by the University of Western Australia.
  2. Send an email (or a NC in-world) with the following details to jay.jay@uwa.edu.au:
        • Second Life name
        • Team name (if applicable)
        • Email address
        • City & country
        • 2 preferred themes as the subject of the entry, in order of preference.

Essential Rules

  1. Only G or PG rated films will be accepted.
  2. Entry length to be between 3 to 10 minutes.
  3. Registration is essential.
  4. All entries are to be made specifically for the Project Homeless Competition.
  5. Register before the 11th of April & must nominate two of the listed themes.
  6. $10,000 Aus in prizes available with at least $700 Aus reserved for machinima.
  7. The full official rules should also be read, together with the 10 Step Guide.

Prizes

Please refer to the UWA website for a full list of prizes.

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The Drax Files Radio Hour: after Humble

Posted on by Inara Pey

radio-hourThe fourth show in this engaging series kicks-off with Rod Humble’s departure, as broken original by Jo Yardley herself (kudos, Jo!), and with interesting insight from Dean Takahashi on what might have happened – primarily focusing on the attempts to diversify, some of which as I’ve commented myself, don’t appear to have come out too well.

There has been a lot of speculation over the reason for Rod Humble’s departure. Many have pointed to it being a case that he “failed”, with the intimation that he was fired.

Jo thinks the decision to leave was his – and I agree with her. As she says, and I’ve alluded to, the Lab’s reaction suggests the move caught them off-guard (or as I have referred to it, they were caught with their knickers around their ankles); they simply didn’t see it coming.

Will Wright (image courtesy of Gamesbeat)
Will Wright (image courtesy of Gamesbeat)

The show also touches on Will Wright’s departure from the LL board, which was likely first noted by Ezra (at least in this context) in an NWN comment as the news about Humble’s departure spread.

In September 2013, news broke that Wright had, together with Avi Bar-Zeev, raised some $5 million to establish Syntertainment, a company which is “dedicated to changing the world through uniquely fun and lasting user experiences” and which will ” focus on the intersection of entertainment and reality. ”

Whether Wright’s departure from the Lab occurred at the time Syntertainment was launched (which would seem likely) or some time between that event and Humble’s departure is unclear. It does, however, lead to speculation in the show that it may be where Rod Humble may be heading. This doesn’t quite seem to gell with his own comments on his future, of which he says, “I am starting-up a company to make Art, Entertainment and unusual things,” suggesting he is creating a company, rather than joining a start-up. But, time will tell; and it may be unwise to discount his bond with Will Wright.

There is a lot of good input on the subject from a number of interviewees, and kudos to Harvey Crabsticks in particular for his comments on market segments, potential reach and on the future – and Rod Humble’s tenure. Well said on all! On a broader scale, Hanno Teitgens offers up insight as to why Second Life and virtual worlds remain hamstrung – although his view on the direction the company should take may upset some, and I’m not sure I agree with his summation of OpenSim, which shares all of the problems inherent with Second Life in terms of growing an audience, which the lower cost of land has failed to demonstrate itself as a deciding factor.

Perhaps the most fascinating interview is with Evonne Heyning and Joyce Bettencourt, who chart the evolution of the Lab and its outlook from the perspective of those who actually dealt directly with the Lab’s management on a professional level.

Beyond Rod Humble’s departure from the Lab, the show touches upon a range of topics, including the buy-out of Cloud Party and where it might lead. This was also touched upon within the interview with Hanno Teitgens, with he and Drax having an interesting exchange of views on the oft-pointed to subject of virtual worlds “needing” to be browser-based for access. 

Feedback

The Drax Files Radio Hour undoubtedly hits a strong stride with this podcast. It provides a good summation of Rod Humble’s tenure from all sides, and an excellent piece with Evonne and Joyce which really puts the evolution of Linden Lab in a perspective many may not have considered.  The depth of the central subject is plumbed to great effect, and the mix of interviews and comments presented a strong narrative of their own which gives the show considerable flow – and considerable food for thought.